METU/SFL Spring 2024

DBE
FP 1 LOWER-INTERMEDIATE GROUP
(ANSWER KEY)

LANGUAGE & WRITING

A. Read the following text, and fill in the blanks with NOUN CLAUSES using the statements or
questions given below. Make the necessary changes. The statements and questions are IN THE
CORRECT ORDER.

Travel Trends for 2024

Across the world, more people have started to think that travel is an essential part of their lives. They don’t
consider it an optional luxury, but rather an indispensable part of who they are and who they want to
become. Travel and organization companies are happy about (1) the fact that more people are travelling
than ever before. They carefully follow this changing mentality and the current trends that are occurring
throughout the tourism industry. It is a natural part of the trade in an industry that changes globally. They
are aware that (2) what was successful might note work well in the next one. Tour providers find out the
latest trends by working with social media influencers and getting feedback from travelers. In order to do
this, they sometimes carry out surveys as they want to predict (3) where travelers will prefer to go next
year. By using these surveys, they can also find out (4) whether/if travelers enjoyed the activities they
offered last year (or not). After gathering information, they adapt their tours or activities accordingly. Do
you want to know (5) which trends travelers are following this year? Here are some of them:

Female Solo Travel

Do you know (6) who makes travel decisions most? Today, 80% of travel decisions are made by women. It
doesn’t matter (7) whether/if they are married or single*. Women are leading the way, and the travel
industry is taking notice. Today's female travelers are brave, independent, and eager to explore new
experiences, and many are choosing to go solo. Tour companies simply can't ignore this market.

Active & Adventure Trips

Another trend for 2024 is active and adventure travel. (8) (The fact) that some travelers prefer to attend
adventurous activities instead of sitting on the beach makes North and South America popular
destinations. Travelers get a chance to take part in lots of exciting activities in these places.

Responsible Tourism
The concept of responsible tourism appeared about 30 years ago, when a movement started among
wildlife tourism businesses to ensure (9)that tourism and tourists weren’t destroying the wildlife. It was
called ecotourism. Then, as years passed, ecotourism transformed into a trend called responsible tourism,
the purpose of which is
actually to make better places for people to live in and to visit. (10) (The fact) that more travelers are
acting and behaving more carefully at the destination they visit today is an indirect outcome of this trend
in tourism.
*You cannot use “or not” when you turn yes/no questions which include two or more alternatives (a or
b/ a, b, or c) into noun clauses. “Or” is already a part of this type of questions.

1. More people are travelling than ever before.

2. What was successful one year might not work as well in the next one.
3. Where will travelers prefer to go next year?
4. Did travelers enjoy the activities they offered last year?
5. Which trends are travelers following this year?
6. Who makes travel decisions most?
7. Are they married or single?
8. Some travelers prefer to attend adventurous activities instead of sitting on the beach.
9. Tourism and tourists weren’t destroying the wildlife.
10. More travelers are acting and behaving more carefully at the destination they visit today.

1
B. Fill each gap with ONE WORD only. Contractions such as “don’t” and “isn’t” count as one word.
Many people who have found success started out by failing. Here are three of the most famous:
 Some people consider Isaac Newton to be the greatest scientist who ever lived. However, his early life
was nothing special. He was a very poor student. When he was twelve, his mother took him out of
school so that he (1)could/would learn how to run the family farm. Unfortunately, he wasn't very good
at that. In the end, he (2) was sent back to school. He passed his exams, went to Cambridge University,
and became a great scientist. In 1666, he discovered the law of gravity.

 Ask anyone to name the most famous film director in Hollywood, and many people will say this man's
name: Steven Spielberg. Although he is a well-known film director now, his career in cinema started
badly (3)as/since/because he was rejected three times from film school. He eventually started his
studies at a different school, but he left it to become a director. (4) Since then, he has won the Oscar
for Best Director twice, and three of his films have broken box-office records.

 Although Bill Gates is a really successful businessperson and computer programmer, he -

(5)didn’t/couldn’t actually finish university. He was smarter (6) than many of his peers and went to
Harvard University, but he spent most of his time using the university's computers for his own projects
and failed his classes. (7)After/When he left university, he decided to start his own company with a
friend. This company failed, but he worked hard and won a contract with IBM, and this resulted (8) in a
huge success for him.

C. Write a sentence using the information and prompts given in parentheses.

Suggested Answers
1. While Bilkent is a private university, METU is a state university.
(unlike) Unlike Bilkent, METU is a state university.
(different from) Different from Bilkent, METU is a state university.
2. Mary likes to go out at night. Jin prefers quiet evenings at home.
(as opposed to) As opposed to Mary, Jin prefers quiet evenings at home.
(however) Mary likes to go out at night; however, Jin prefers quiet evenings at home.
3. Marco will go to college on a full scholarship. Peter will have to work part time.
(in contrast) Marco will go to college on a full scholarship. In contrast, Peter will have to work part time.
(while) While Marco will go to college on a full scholarship, Peter will have to work part time.
4. Medical care is free in Canada. People must pay for medical care in the US.
(on the other hand) Medical care is free in Canada; on the other hand, people must pay for it in the US.
(but) Medical care is free in Canada, but people must pay for it in the US.
5. The road is icy and rough, but he keeps driving fast.
(although) Although the road is icy and rough, he keeps driving fast.
(despite) Despite the icy and rough road, he keeps driving fast.
(nevertheless) The road is icy and rough. Nevertheless, he keeps driving fast.
6. The age of people in these two groups are different.
(terms) The people in these two groups are different in terms of age.

2
 VOCABULARY

Read the texts below and fill in the blanks with the words in the box. Do not change the form of the
words. Use each word only ONCE. There are more words than you need.
distract reducing complain action distort
majority doubt exchanging overestimate instill

Three billion people, around 40% of the world’s population, use online social media – and we’re
spending a (1) majority of our free time every day sharing, liking, tweeting and updating on these
platforms, according to some reports. Since social media plays such a big part in our lives, is it possible
that we are risking our mental health and well-being as well as our time?

Experts agree that most people use social media to (2) distract themselves from their daily life. There is
no (3) doubt that everyone needs some time to relax and forget about their problems. However, it is
difficult to decide where healthy relaxation ends and escape from reality begins.

Although people try to forget about their daily problems by scrolling up and down, it is also true that
they use it to talk about the same problems that they try to forget. According to the results of a survey,
people use social media to (4) complain about everything from customer service to politics, and our
feeds often look like an endless stream of stress. Researchers wanted to find out if social media increases
stress instead of (5) reducing it. Interestingly, they have found that it does both. Apparently, users feel
they are actually taking (6) action to fight against social problems when they write about them on their
feed. Some users state that they believe social media is a powerful tool to express themselves. However,
experts claim that social media is not so effective as it is usually believed. They say that most people (7)
overestimate the power of social media, so they feel less stressed about the negativities in their lives or
societies after sharing, but they do not actually do anything. Consequently, social media can easily (8)
distort users’ reality by misleading them.
***
demand nutritional priority imagine
lacking supply shortage plummet

In a consumer’s society, we need to raise awareness about certain issues:

1. In today's fast-paced world, convenient food options are on the rise. You can find frozen or ready-made
food products at every supermarket. However, the (1) nutritional value of these products is
questionable. Proactive measures must be taken so that the (2) demand for healthier options can be
met. Additionally, efforts should be made to prevent advertising that may try to hide the fact that certain
products are (3)lacking in vitamins, minerals, or any healthy ingredients.

2. Sustainable production is another issue today. More and more consumers are trying to buy from brands
that (4) supply them with eco-friendly alternatives. By doing so, they try to create a more
environmentally conscious society and take measures against a (5) shortage of natural resources.

3. In recent years, many consumers have headed towards cruelty-free products. These products are
manufactured without testing on animals, and the companies that produce them make animal-friendly
practices their top (6) priority.

3
 LISTENING
A. Click on the link below, listen to the conversation between two students, and answer the questions
below.
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening/b1-listening/arriving-late-class
1. The class started _a few minutes___ ago.
2. The lecturer will hand the midterm exams __next Tuesday__.
3. The students are expected to look at page __34__ in the text book.
4. The student 1 doesn’t understand _what SE0 means / the meaning of SEO____.
5. What does the student 1 learn at the end of the conversation?
(The student/He learned that) he was in the wrong class.

B. Click on the link below, watch the video and answer the questions below.
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/general-english/video-series/word-street/wots-art/pop-galleries

1. A pop-up art gallery is a temporary exhibition ________________.

a. in a traditional art gallery where you can meet and chat with artists
b. at a school which tries to get young people interested in art
c. in an empty building where artists can show their work

2. Which one of the following is FALSE about pop-up art galleries?

a. They are quite a new idea in London.
b. They're usually open for a few weeks or a month.
c. They require the artist’s permission.

3. One advantage of a pop-up gallery is that it helps _____________.

a. customers to buy art from well-known artists at an affordable price
b. younger artists to survive during economic hard times
c. artists to sell their art to established art galleries

C. For the items in this section, you will listen to a mini-lecture on tips for adults on learning. You will
hear the lecture only ONCE. As you listen to the lecture, fill in the blanks. Now, you have 60 seconds to
look at the questions. (TRACK 1)

After a certain age, learning a language becomes seriously difficult, and people feel exhausted during
the process. The experience may sometimes become (1) (very) challenging for them. By seeing how the
language will work in your life, you can prevent that feeling. First of all, you should ask yourself (2) why
you want to learn the language and try to see the benefits of it. With this positive attitude, learning will
become rewarding.

Secondly, you should put your expectations in order. Do not expect too much too soon. Because of
the technological age that we are living in, we expect to get feedback in a very short time. Of course,
if you want to get results in (3) five/5 minutes when you learn a language, you will feel frustrated, or
upset, because it doesn’t work that way. The process of language-learning is a/an (4) (really) slow one.

Thirdly, you should have a/an (5) study plan that matches your purpose. One-size-fits-all programs do not
always help as everyone learns in a different way and at their own speed. Let’s say you want to learn
French. You should decide whether you're learning French to find the perfect croissant, (6) talk to people
in bars, or get a better understanding of art history. You should think about your purpose of learning the
language before you decide on a method.

4
 READING
READING PRACTICE 1: THE ARTIFICIAL MEAT FACTORY
Before Reading:
1. Have you ever heard of artificial meat? Why is it necessary to produce it?
2. If you had the chance, would you try eating artificial meat?
Vocabulary
The words written in bold are used in the text. Read the sentences and match the words in bold with
their definitions.
__d__ 1. If you don’t want to get poisoned, you need to learn which plants are edible.
__b__ 2. He has to sign that paper now- will you tell him it's urgent?
__c__ 3. In the second experiment they obtained a very clear result.
__e__ 4. Countries and corporations are making efforts to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.
__a__ 5. The universe is theoretically infinite; there is no end to it.

a) (adj) without limits; extremely large or great

b) (adj) very important and needing attention immediately
c) (v) to get something, especially by asking for it, buying it, working for it, or producing it from
something else
d) (adj) suitable or safe for eating
e) (n) an amount of something, especially a gas that harms the environment, that is sent out into
the air

1Back in 2013, the world watched as food critics gathered to taste the first ever
lab-grown burger. The burger meat, which was fried in front of the media, was
proof that it was possible to grow safe and edible meat without killing a single
animal. There was just one problem: the lab-grown meat had taken two years and
over $300,000 to produce.
2Yet, in less than five years, the cost of producing this high-tech meat plummeted. In
1
January 2016, a company called Memphis Meats produced a “cultured ” meatball” for around $1,000. Dr. Mark
Post, the Dutch scientist who created the $300,000 burger using tissue-engineering methods, believes it will be
possible to make improved versions of the burgers for around $10 each if these methods are improved.
3The need to find alternatives to traditional meat is urgent. Livestock1 farming uses a huge amount of land and
water, and in terms of greenhouse emissions, it is as bad as burning fossil fuels. Rising incomes in developing
countries mean that more people are eating meat than before, and this reduces the amount of land available
for much-needed crops.
4The science behind growing meat without animals is fairly simple. The process starts with a few “satellite” cells,
which can be obtained from the muscle of a live animal. Just one cell could, in theory, be used to grow an
infinite amount of meat. Growing these cells requires a large bioreactor. This bioreactor needs to provide the
perfect conditions for growth. The largest existing bioreactor that can do this has a volume of 25,000 liters, and
could produce enough meat to feed 10,000 people.
5In order to grow meat industrially, a nutrient-rich serum is used to feed the cells. Successful serums consist of
sugar, amino acids, and animal blood. However, not only are blood-based serums a source of worry for
vegetarians, but also there would not be enough serum in the world to mass-produce, says Dr. Post. He and
other companies are working on blood-free alternatives; however, it's not simple. "We first need to find out
which substances in blood are required for growth, and there are tens of thousands of different substances in
blood," he says.

5
 6Achieving a taste and texture that rivals real meat seems to be the easy part. The critics who tasted the
original burger said that it was a bit dry and tasteless. Therefore, Dr. Post has started to grow fat cells from
cows; these add moisture to the meat. He has also discovered that leaving the cells without oxygen can
increase the amount of flavor-giving proteins in the final product.
7Marie Gibbons, a researcher from North Carolina State University, says there is no limit to what scientists
could do with flavor. She thinks cultured meats could eventually be tastier than traditional meat, but she
also adds: "At the moment, the priority is to produce edible protein in large amounts. Then, you can work
on it to add flavor."
8It is estimated that the most basic lab-grown meat products will be available to the public in a few years.
However, are people ready to eat the stuff? Will consumers drink synthetic milk and eat lab-grown meat,
or will they reject the whole idea? Organizations such as the Modern Agriculture Foundation are already
preparing the ground for the arrival of cultured meat, educating people about why we need it. The
Foundation's director, Shaked Regev, believes that cultured meat won't have the same problem that
existing meat alternatives face because it is so similar to real meat. "Lab-grown meat is the real deal − you
can't differentiate this from traditional meat," he says.
9People will always be very sensitive about what is on their plate. However, if cultured meat becomes the
environmentally friendly, cheaper, and even tastier way to eat meat, the idea of raising animals just to kill
and eat them might sound much stranger in the future.
1
cultured (adj): grown in an artificial medium
2
livestock (n): animals such as cows and sheep that are kept on a farm

A. Find what the following words refer to in the text.

1. this (para. 3) : the fact that more people (in developing countries) are eating meat than before

2. do this (para. 4): provide the perfect conditions for growth

B. Choose the correct answer.
1. The text is probably taken from _______.
a) a scientific magazine b) an encyclopedia c) a lab report
2. The text is probably for ______.
a) business people b) young students c) the general public

C. Read the text carefully, and answer the questions below.

1. According to para. 2, when will it be possible to produce cheaper lab-grown burgers?
When tissue-engineering methods are improved.

2. According to para. 5, what are the two reasons why scientists are trying to come up with a blood-free serum?
a) (Because) blood-based serums are a source of worry for vegetarians.
b) There would not be enough (blood-based) serum in the world to mass-produce.
3. According to para. 5, what information is necessary in order to come up with a blood-free serum?
(We need to find out) which substances in blood are required for growth.
4. According to para. 6, what two methods are used in order to make the lab-grown meat tastier?
a) Growing fat cells from cows (to add moisture to the meat)
b) Leaving the cells without oxygen

6
5. According to Marie Gibbons, what should be done first before thinking about the taste of the meat?
(The priority is) to produce / producing eatable protein in large amounts
6. According to para. 8, why aren’t the meat alternatives of today preferred by people?
(Because) they are (very) different from real meat. / (Because) we can differentiate them from real meat
7. The writer’s purpose is to _______.
a) give instructions on how to produce meat
b) inform people about a scientific discovery
c) criticize people who consume meat

READING PRACTICE 2: EATING - FROM NEED TO CEREMONY

Before Reading:
1. Are there any foods/meals that you eat at special events like weddings and birthdays?
2. What are some table manners in your culture?

Vocabulary:
The following words in bold are used in the text. Read the example sentences and match the words
with their definitions.
__f__ 1. An unlikely assortment of rock stars and politicians attended the charity concert.
__d_ 2. The dancers were wearing elaborate costumes.
_
__a__ 3. In the drawer was a selection of kitchen utensils - spoons, spatulas, knives,
and whisks.
__c__ 4. Primitive humans needed to be able to react like this to escape from dangerous
animals.
__h_ 5. Every visitor to Georgia is fascinated by the kindness, charm and hospitality of the
_ people.
__b_ 6. The two countries have established diplomatic relations.
_
__i__ 7. Ancient Turks used to lead a nomadic lifestyle.
__g__ 8. Social etiquette dictates that young people cannot sit while the elderly are standing.
__e__ 9. We were summoned to the headmaster’s office.

a. (n) a tool with a particular use, especially in a kitchen or house

b. (v) to start having a relationship with, or communicating with another person, company,
country, or organization
c. (adj) relating to human society at a very early stage of development, with people living in
a simple way without machines or a writing system
d. (adj) containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts
e. (v) to order someone come to a particular place, or to officially tell someone to be present
f. (n) a group of different types of something
g. (n) the set of rules or customs that control accepted behavior in particular social groups or
social groups or social situations
h. (n) the act of being friendly and welcoming to guests and visitors
i. (adj) moving from one place to another rather than living in one place all of the time

7
1 When a meal was simply an assortment of food put in front of hungry individuals, people ate to satisfy
themselves as quickly as possible. As food became more elaborate and began to assume more of a social
significance, the eating manners of the people changed as well. When utensils such as forks and knives
first made their appearance on the dinner tables of the wealthy, the process of eating a meal entered
the early stages of becoming transformed into more of a ceremony. Soon, the fashionable people were
instructing others on how to use their eating utensils and informing them that some eating practices
were correct and others incorrect. Later, when the knives and forks became more widespread, the
common people started to imitate the behavior of the wealthy at the dinner table despite the fact that it
was much easier to eat with their hands in the primitive manner of their ancestors.
2 From the earliest times, eating and drinking together has provided a basic form of hospitality.
Anthropologists have recorded that even in the most primitive of tribal cultures, once people have
broken bread with strangers, they considered one another on peaceful terms. Once that kind of a
relationship was established, the people had a responsibility to protect one another if they were in
danger. Moreover, among all cultures, in ancient or modern times, refusing an offer of food or drink has
never been considered a polite behavior. Around the world, to accept such an offer is considered an act
of common politeness, whether one wants it or not. For instance, among the nomadic Bedouins of the
desert, it has always been considered rude to pass a family's tent without greeting them and tasting their
food.
3 Different societies developed their own etiquette in other areas of entertaining at home. As soon as
guests arrived in the home of an ancient Greek host, for example, servants brought in vases of water so
that they might freshen themselves. After the guests washed their hands and feet, they stood around
gossiping until they were summoned to dinner. Water was presented several times during the course of
the meal for washing the hands. The highest in rank had their hands washed first; the lowest, last.
4 The Romans washed their hands before and after dinner. Small basins
were provided for guests for this purpose, and servants dropped
flowers into the water to make it smell good. This custom has survived
today in many homes and restaurants. The Romans did not eat while
sitting. Instead, they had couches that were spread around a square
table. To eat lying down while others served you was a sign of power
and luxury enjoyed by the wealthy. People further down the social
ladder also tried to imitate this dining style if they could afford it.
5 Wealthy Romans did not often invite guests to their homes for the midday meal, but they regularly had
visitors for the evening meal, which consisted of several courses. The host gave each guest an exact list
of all the individual dishes of the feast and then led his guests into the dining hall. As they were being
seated, servants gave the guests flowers and offered them wine. There was usually a place of honor at
the dining table. The highest in rank sat at the head, the next in rank at the upper end, and the third
highest in social position sat at the lower end.

Answer the following questions according to the text.

1. Which of the following is wrong according to para.1?
a) Eating manners developed as food became more important socially.
b) Utensils made it easier for common people to eat their food.
c) Before gaining social importance, food was eaten to satisfy hunger.
8
2. What is considered an act of common politeness everywhere in the world?
To accept / Accepting / Not refusing an offer of food or drink

3. What are Bedouins expected to do when they pass a family’s tent?

(They should) greet them and taste their food.

4. In the ancient Greek culture, there was a relationship between social rank and the order of washing
the hands.

5. According to para. 4, which dining style did poorer Roman people try to copy from the rich?
Eating / To eat lying down (while others served you).

6. Which of the following is TRUE about the Roman food culture?

a) The person with the highest rank sat at the upper end of the table.
b) The visitors never knew what was going to be served at a Roman home.
c) One of its customs can still be seen in today’s food culture.